MANIC EDEN (Vandenberg / Sarzo / Aldridge) – Manic Eden [Japan Edition +1]

One of you asked for this, self-titled and only album by MANIC EDEN, the super-group formed by Tommy Aldridge, Rudy Sarzo and Adrian Vandenberg after Whitesnake. Particularly this hard to find Japanese Edition including an exclusive bonus track.
After the recording and successful “Slip Of The Tongue” Whitesnake tour, some of the members of that formation decided to give a new direction to their careers after Coverdale’s decision to take a break in 1992.
Aldridge / Sarzo & Vandenberg then formed Manic Eden, and the aim was to rock hard with a style close to British blues classic rock.

House Of Lords’ frontman James Christian was part of initial sessions, but the trio were looking for a more ‘classic rock’ voice. They met Ron Young, previously vocalist for the band Little Caesar, and all glue.
Much closer to vintage hard rock with deep roots in the blues than what most of its members had done so far, “Manic Eden” rocks with jammin’ riffs and a bouncy rhythm section.

There’s a pretty brutal beginning with “Can You Feel It”, with Aldridge & Sarzo showing all their strength, Vandenberg focused in playing thick riffs than showing off his exceptional soloing skills, and Young imprinting a southern vocal tone to the proceedings.
Imagine Badlands meets Cry Of Love, yet loosely n’ jammin’.

That bluesy rock fusion is present in songs such as “Pushing Me” or “Can’t Hold Tight , although a more 80s hard rock skeleton appear in the choruses of “When The Hammer Comes Down” or “Keep It Coming”.
We find a superb slow burned in “Dark Shade Of Gray”, and lots of intensity on Do Angels Die” and the kicking “Ride The Storm”.

While many were expecting something similar to the slick Whitesnake sound of the late ’80s, Manic Eden go for the roots, a classic bluesy rocking album with a lively feel, a quite challenging music style for 1994 when this record was released.
The groovy, punchy “Crossing The Line” is the Japanese bonus, and one of the best tracks on this hard to find CD.
Highly Recommended

01 – Can You Feel It
02 – When The Hammer Comes Down
03 – Ride The Storm
04 – Can’t Hold It
05 – Fire In My Soul
06 – Do Angels Die
07 – Crossing The Line [Japan Bonus Track]
08 – Dark Shade Of Grey
09 – Pushing Me
10 – Gimme A Shot
11 – Keep It Coming

Guitar, Keyboards – Adrian Vandenberg
Bass – Rudy Sarzo
Drums – Tommy Aldridge
Lead Vocals – Ron Young
Keyboards – Guy Allison Steiner*
Percussion – Chris Trujillo
Backing Vocals – Cece White, Sara Taylor

Out Of Print